Fix Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting in Windows 8 and 8.1

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It’s been 2 week now (Nov 1st) since I installed Windows 8.1 on my brand new assembled computer with a Haswell processor and Asus Z87 Pro motherboard. Initially everything looked fine and I was loving Windows 8.1 more. Then I noticed the Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting in Windows 8 and 8.1. None of the initial diagnostic troubleshooting ever gave me any signs of any issue with windows or my computer. So I had my ISP technicians come home, check the line and confirmed there is no problem from their part. The problem was still there and I kept blaming ISP. I also tried updating wireless router firmware which was already up to date. Then I noticed my parent’s old computer which they use every day for an hour never complained about internet getting disconnected. That is when it dawned on me…The problem is with Windows 8.1. Finally, I am also victim of Windows 8.1 and I am not alone.

Tried lot of troubleshooting steps after referring forums, but none worked. This is how I finally fixed it.

Fix for Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting in Windows 8 and 8.1

Restart computer. (The issue was not fixed in my computer until I restarted)

Initially, I was not yet sure if the issue is fixed. So I decided to wait 72 hrs for confirmation. After 72hrs, my Wi-Fi never got disconnected which confirmed the issue is finally fixed. As I am writing this article, just turned on my Bluetooth again. Within 15mts, it disconnected my Wi-Fi twice re-iterating the problem as a conflict between Wireless and Bluetooth device.

Cause: The issues seems to be a conflict between Qualcomm Atheros Wireless and Bluetooth device drivers. By disabling Bluetooth, there is no more conflicts and wireless started working normally. Hopefully Qualcomm will be made aware of this issue and they will release an update soon to fix the problem. Once a fix is released, you will be able to use Wireless and Bluetooth at the same time without disabling. There is little Microsoft can do on this as it is a driver related problem which should be taken care of by device manufacturers.

Quick update: This solution seems to work for more PC’s

Windows Key + R, type devmgmt.msc

Click View, check Show Hidden Devices

Under Network Adapters, disable all entries except for the entry related to Wireless Adapter. Right click on each entries and then click disable. If there is no disable option, leave it as it is. In the below picture, all entries except Qualcomm Atheros AR946x Wireless Network Adapter is disabled.

Once all entries are disabled except the Wireless Adapter, restart Computer. (The problem won’t be fixed unless you restart computer)Share the results under comment section.

List of other troubleshooting steps to fix this problem

Here is a list of other troubleshooting steps that you can try for fixing this problem. If one method didn’t work, try the next step.

Check for new updates from manufacturer website

Most device manufacturers have released updates for their devices after the release of Windows 8.1. Install the updated drivers for Wi-Fi. If possible, download and install updates for all devices. Check if the issue is fixed. (I went to Asus website which is my motherboard manufacturer and downloaded Wi-Fi Driver V10.0.0.263. It didn’t work for me.)

Windows Key + R, type control panel go to Power Options. Click Change Plan Settings, click Change Advanced Power Settings, then Wireless Adapter Settings, then Power Saving Mode. Change the Plugged in option to “Maximum Performance”. If this is a laptop, you might have On Battery option and set it to “Maximum Performance”. Restart computer

This Article Was Written By

Anup Raman

I am Anup Raman. A Tech Enthusiast|Blogger|Tech Trainer with 10+ yrs experience in the field of IT. My expertise are in Operating Systems, mainly Windows and Computer security which comes from my experience, working as Tech Support and Trainer for Microsoft, Symantec and McAfee. Loves blogging about Technical Troubleshooting, discussing latest Gadgets, Games and doing Reviews.

Thank you so much for posting the ONLY solution that has worked for me. For months I’ve tried every other suggestion out there to get my computer to stop disconnecting from wi-fi. It has been three days and not once has the problem reappeared. You have saved my sanity.

Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After one and a half year of endless problems, checkings, 2 router changes etc i resolved disconnections’ martyr by configuring power settings. Win8.1 on my laptop.

After trying numerous ways, this ones work for me: 1. go to Device Manager > View > Show Hidden Devices > Disable every adapter EXCEPT wireless related 2. Go to power plan (for laptop PC) > Change advanced power settings > find Wireless Adapter Settings and under this one to open Power Saving Mode > switch to “Maximum Performance” for both On battery and Plugged in.

hi! I’ve recently bought an asus K455L laptop and since then it keeps on disconnecting to wifi. I’ve done several ‘solutions’ but none worked. Some worked for a day then the problem come back. I’ve also tried configuring something in my router. it worked for a bit then my wifi became slow so i thought i had to change it back to its default settings. i have tried your solution but still it did not work. i’ve disable everything except my wifi adapter (broadcomm) restart it and still same problem. Can you help me? also the internet connection became so slow it will take forever to load a website plus it displays “Unable to access the network” i have to reload it for a couple of times before it starts to load the website (which like what i have said takes forever.) the weird thing is some days my wifi connection is stable some days its not. and i forgot to mention i already flush my DNS, turn off my firewall and disabled bluetooth. please help! thanks!

1) Go to command prompt with admin rights. Execute the following command netsh winsock reset Restart computer and check if the problem is fixed.

2) Uninstall broadcom wi-fi adapter, restart it. Most probably, the driver gets re-loaded automatically on restart. (It is also recommended to keep a back up copy and install the latest wi-fi adapter update from manufacturer website. The latest version will have bug fixes if any reported.)

3) Uninstall all security software’s in your computer. Also reset firewall to default settings and check if it helped fixing the problem.Install it back once the problem is fixed.

4) Run ccleaner to clean your computer of temporary files which might slow down internet connection.

Hi! i found a solution (temporarily) my desktop has this wifi adapter (like USB) to connect to wifi. so i plugged it to my laptop and it work. i have stable connection now. but i will try your solution maybe some other time. i will update you on the results. Thanks for the help by the way!

it really works.thanks a lot.just go to the device manager by pressing windows+x for windows 8.1. and then select device manager.right click on the network adapters and disable all except your network driver that may be qualcomm or broadcom.Like mine was broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter.

After being forced into buying win8.1 2 weeks ago I’ve been fighting my WiFi every hour on the hour. WIDCOMM Bluetooth drivers were also not updated to Windows 8/8.1 by Rocketfish. I finally today simply said screw it and pulled my Bluetooth completely to stop the conflict between it and my netgear driver.

Issue with the conflict are numerous. As you mentioned it simply turns off the WiFi adapter driver when it tries to start Bluetooth. However, If you fight it to work at the same time then you encounter DNS issues galore. No cure as of yet has helped i’ve tried every possible solution on the net for the conflict to be resolved. I have uninstalled and reinstalled more drivers than one can imagine in the last few days trying to find a set that works together. I give up.

Hopefully M$ can get manufactures on board with Win10 in making drivers. If not, then it looks like I will be buying a new bluetooth and possibly new WiFi adapter that are simply compatible with the new OS.

Quick history lesson btw, this is not a first for a MS OS to not have driver support. Windows ME was not supported in its drivers either as manufactures saw the OS as a waste of time like they see Win 8/8.1. Lets just hope they get on board with the next OS.

My wifi was dying every time I would start downloading anything. After disabling everything in Device Manager, uninstalling wifi drivers and installing new ones from Asus (I use Asus x555ln) my problems ended. Thanks a lot.

Thanks for the info. Have tried your recommendations but it doesn’t seem to last. It only happens to my computer (all other devices are ok, including my wife’s apple laptop) and only seems to happen in the house – at public wifi spots it works fine. Any other tips? Thanks again.

Here is how to solve the problem, one of the users I believe have aforementioned it before, maybe on another forum so I’m just gonna go and affirm it once again here. It have worked for me, and the internet seems fine for the 2nd day now, we’ll see how it’s gonna later, but for the moment everything’s okay. So, here it goes: 1. you need to type Run->msconfig 2. on first page we choose Normal startup, instead of Selective start up 3. we boot again and should be okay If not, well maybe that’s just smth else. Have worked for me, good luck.

Had the some problem. Wifi was disconnecting every 10 minutes. Uninstalled all network related devices and rebooted pc. Afterwards only 2 network devices were automatically reinstalled and everything worked fine again. Also disabled Bluethooth device.

I have the same hardware. I’m a layed off Tech Support Supervisor (Co. no longer exists) and I’ve been trying to get this fixed since I bought the machine months ago. I’ve gone through 3 different ISP’s, 4 different wireless devices. I tried the first option and it DID get a LITTLE better. Now instead of disconnecting every 30 seconds it disconnects every 5 or 6 minutes. I’ll be trying the other options below now, although at first glance it looks like some of them I may have tried already. I’ll try to post the verdict, assuming I can stay connected long enough.

I have been to through three USB Wi-Fi adapters and I still have the problem, this is from three different manufacturers with different drivers no matter what I do I still have a problem until I got an internal Wi-Fi PCI card that fixed the problem no disconnects no problems but a USB Wi-Fi on Windows 8.1 works for shit.

Thanks Raman. Your post was very helpful. I have a HP 15-n003tx laptop. After upgrading to windows 8.1, my wifi problems started. I would get disconnected in max 5 minutes. Sometimes, the computer would fail to detect the wifi networks altogether. After struggling for nearly a month, I came across your fix. AND it worked like a charm, now for a week, I have not lost my wifi even for a minute. Thank you again.

Hello , I am So stressed ! I was writing a note in here to say I went a whole hour with NO disconnect & as soon as I finished typing I lost connection . My problem is I disabled the Bluetooth & the QUALCOMM Ethernet adapter & restarted the computer it worked a while .Then I read more of your article it said look for hidden adapters & now there Is a HUGE list . My wifi adapter in Intel Centrino N 2230 is the only one I thought I had left open . How do I know disabling the list wont crash computer ? Can U please help me ? I have been dealing with this problem since I bought this computer in 2012 & I figured it was always a isp problem until I read YOUR article . Can u Please help me ? Thank you for your time. Sincerely a stressed out non technical person who wants to throw this computer through a window Or 8.1 windows lol !

Just a quick reply…..Right click on Wireless Network Adapter in the list and then click uninstall. Once it is uninstalled, restart computer. After restart, the wireless adapter will automatically gets installed. Let me know, if that fixed the problem. In case, it didn’t, let me know. Good Luck.

Yes, 95% of time, it will get installed automatically on restart. Very rarely, the driver may not get installed if the existing driver is corrupted. To be on the safer side, you may also download the driver for wireless adapter from computer manufacturers website and keep it for emergency.

Hello , I want to thank you for taking your time to help me . Okay I went most of the day yesterday & it happened WAY LESS than usual . So far all I have done was disabled the Bluetooth & the Ethernet adapter then restarted it ,also after that I did what u said & uninstalled it & restarted it . It took about 6 hours of until it lost wifi connection . When I read what you said about looking for hidden adapters & the list was HUGE 🙁 I was afraid to disable all of them because well I will be honest I am not tech smart! 😉 I am afraid If I disable something I know nothing about It wont turn back on again ROTFL! Please if you know what I am doing wrong Or what I can do next I am all ears . Also My computer is a dell 14z ultra book with windows 8.1 Intel Centrino Wireless N 2230 Wireless adapter . Ever since the day I got it home ( I now know it happens to a lot of people) & it either says lost connection or said LIMITED connection . God bless & thank u for any more help u can give .

Thank you so much for all of your help . I did as you said it worked for 1 whole day & then BOOM no connection or LIMITED ! Please do you have ANY other suggestions ? The only thing I haven’t tried was the part where you said to look for Hidden adapters & disable them all . But my fear is the list is SO big & with name that sound important ,So I was Wondering can u tell me what NOT to ever disable ? I am willing to try anything at this point (even tossing it through a WINDOW Or 8.1 Windows 😉 Thanks again for your patience with a non tech smart person . Sincerely A frustrated Hummingbrd

Hi Hummingbird…..Did you try uninstalling the wireless network adapter and then restart computer as I mentioned before? After restart the driver will automatically get installed. Please update the result.

Sure hope this works, I have been extremely frustrated with this since late Dec 2013. If this fixes the problem, I really will have to wonder why I paid for Best Buys Geek Squad, because they have been unable to resolve this issue.

I found a interesting solution that mite help some people. For some weird reason on my PC if my wallpaper is set on slide show ( change desktop wallpaper every x amount of minutes ) whenever the wallpaper changes the internet connection is dropped. When I turn this feature off it works fine

I have tried all steps you advised. I hope this works. I bought a new sony viao laptop a month back, and it has been giving me problems eversince. it keeps detecting some ifi which is not there. I am not able to delete the same as well..nut internet keeps disconnecting every 15 mins..i even reinstalled windows

My best bet is to install the updated driver from Sony website for Windows 8.1. If that didn’t work, then you need to try the steps mentioned here. Unfortunately there is no one step which works for all devices. I am also constantly checking and updating this article for methods which work for others. Hope one of this will work for you.

The only other method I can think of is 1) Install the latest win 8.1 compatible device driver from manufacturer website. 2) Uninstall security software and firewall and check if it works(Disabling these options may not work if the security software itself is corrupted or not compatible). Please let us know the results.

Well done! I had this issue also for my new Asus Transformer T100 windows 8.1. The internet keep disconnecting as your and it’s really made me suffer on that, i did what you did and the problem fixed! Thanks! Problem resolved!